The winter's showcase season is right around the corner, slated to kick off this Sunday, Jan. 13, at The MAX in McCook, Ill., with the Unsigned Senior Showcase. The first PBR Wisconsin showcase of 2019 is coming to Kenosha on Jan. 26. The previous hyperlinks should direct you to registration information for both events.

Jack Fentress, the catcher/outfield prospect from Eau Claire Memorial, has transformed himself from a lean and lanky athlete with raw feel for the game into a 6-foot-4, 200-pound prospect with considerable upside who's made real gains behind the plate. He's harnessed his lanky frame, as evidenced by a 6.89 mark in the 60-yard dash at last summer's Top Prospect - Milwaukee event, and has continued to progress offensively. He always had a feel for the barrel in the right-handed batter's box, but it was fair to wonder where he'd fit defensively. It's clear, however, that Fentress has been diligently at work improving his skills as a backstop all while maintaining his aggressive and powerful approach at the plate. He regularly takes reps in the outfield and still might project best in a corner spot at the next level, but his hard work to overcome the defensive deficiencies he had previously cannot be overlooked. He's been rising in the state's 2019 rankings as a result, bordering the top 50 these days.

In the right environment, Fentress could continue to actualize his increasingly apparent upside to further help his future home compete.

 

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